Tufts Community Grant program provides support for local non-profits hit hard by COVID-19 pandemic
(April 15, 2021) Thirty-five local organizations in Tufts’ four host communities in Massachusetts have been awarded $35,000 in grants from the Tufts Community Grants (TCG) program. The grants, which are funded by donations from Tufts University faculty and staff, are awarded each year to community-based charitable organizations in Boston, Grafton, Medford and Somerville.
TCG is a giving option of the annual Tufts Community Appeal, an internal fundraising campaign for faculty and staff at Tufts University. Donors to the TCG program are members of the Tufts workforce who value and support the work of the university’s community partners and the welfare of Tufts’ host communities.
Once a year, a volunteer board comprised of Tufts faculty and staff members meets to review proposals and select grant recipients. Board members represent all of Tufts’ Massachusetts campuses and a variety of different disciplines and roles from across the university. Members of the TCG board look for applicants that offer important services and programming for residents of our host communities, and that are also engaged with Tufts volunteers.
“We received applications from more non-profits than ever this year. The need for support is high, especially after an unprecedented year weathering COVID-19,” said Leah Boudreau, community programs specialist with Tufts University’s office of Government and Community Relations. “It has been challenging and costly for organizations to develop programs to serve residents during COVID-19, and many proposals addressed programmatic and service changes that were brought about by the pandemic. These grants are just one way that Tufts continues to support our community partners as they respond in this new environment.”
This year, the committee received 75 proposals and selected 35 programs and projects to fund. Funding from the 2021 Tufts Community Grants supports these projects in Boston:
Asian Community Development Corporation – Community cleanup of Chinatown Backyard, an open space located next to the Chinatown Gate
Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center, Inc. – Virtual YouthLead program, with focus on arts and mental health
Building Audacity – Purchase of fresh, culturally diverse produce for weekly distribution to food insecure families in Boston
Chinese Historical Society of New England – Free, single-day seminar about combating anti-Asian racism
Friday Night Supper Program, Inc. – Warm and Dry Feet Program, providing 100 pairs of boots and socks for homeless and low income individuals
Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center Inc. – 5-7 tablet computers for elderly clients to expand access to virtual programming
Haley House – Purchase of commercial dishwasher for their soup kitchen
Josiah Quincy Upper School – Virtual community-building “paint night” event for public school teachers, nurses, counselors, social workers and operations staff
MassVOTE – Supplies and materials to contact residents without internet access and increase voter turnout in municipal elections
The Theater Offensive – Virtual performance equipment such as cameras and microphones for True Colors Troupe, drama group comprised of LGBTQ youth and straight allies, many of whom identify as BIPOC
